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The Trucking Terms Your Mom Warned

You About

Posted 12-17-13 by Mike Curts
Every industry or occupation seems to have its own unique language. What I mean is
that typically, these words, terms or phrases have a specific meaning to the folks that
work in that industry. Trucking is no different. Do you know what a drop and hook is or
the meaning of hub miles? Dont worry, if you dont know your yard jockeys from your
lumpers, weve got you covered with this special blog post series, Truck Talk: The
ABCs of Trucking Language.
In this series, Im going to break down general trucking terms as well as some driver
speak those words and phrases that are likely to be heard of the CB radio. Yes, the
1970s phenomena CB radio is still widely used across the trucking industry. Its an
important communication tool for truck drivers as well as shippers. So, its a great idea
to brush up on your trucker lingo.
Lets get part one of the Truck Talk: The ABCs of Trucking Language started with these
general trucking terms
Average Length of Haul
The average distance in miles between the pick-up and delivery points.
Carrier
An individual, partnership, or corporation engaged in the business of transporting goods
or persons; a trucking company.
CB
Citizens band two-way radio for which no license is required by the FCC.
CDL
Commercial Driver's License; a type of drivers license mandated by the Commercial
Motor Vehicle Act of 1986 that establish minimum national standards.
Class A
Refers to type of CDL permitted the licensed driver to operate a combination vehicle
(tractor trailer) with a gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds.
Common Carrier
Freight transportation company which serves the general public. May be a regular or
irregular route.
Dedicated Run
This refers to a driver pulling freight for one specific shipper week after week, with same
pick up and drop off points.
Dispatching
The scheduling and control of intercity traffic and intracity pick-up and delivery.
DOT
Department of Transportation
Drop and Hook
This is a term used to refer to when a driver simply "drops" his trailer at a customer
location and "hooks" to another trailer.
Drop Yard
This is a small area of land that trucking companies own and allows for drivers to park
their trucks and trailers on it.
Dry Freight
Non-liquid
Forced Dispatch
This is a term used to define that a driver does NOT have the ability to accept or decline
load assignments.
Freight Lane
These are the common areas where trucking companies run in and around delivering
freight.
Fuel Bonus
These are bonuses given by trucking companies to drivers who can exceed a pre-set
MPG average.
GPS
Global Positioning System
Hazmat
Hazardous Materials, as classified by the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the US Department of
Transportation.
Hours of Service
U.S. Department of Transportation safety regulations which govern the hours of service
of commercial vehicle drivers engaged in interstate trucking operations.
Hub Miles
Refers to the actual amount of miles a driver runs as per the odometer.
Interstate
(Driving) between 2 or more states.
Intrastate
(Driving) within a state.
Irregular Route Common Carrier
A phrase used to describe a carrier that will haul freight from anywhere to anywhere
with no set routes.
Jackknife
To place the trailer at a very sharp angle to the tractor.
Layover Pay
Paid to a driver who is available for dispatch, but has no load assignment.
Layover Time
The non-working time that a road driver spends away from his home terminal before
being dispatched to some other destination.
Lease Purchase
Method of purchasing a rig from a regulated carrier, whereby rent (paid to the carrier for
the privilege of using the cab) is applied to the principle owed.
Load
This is the freight that the driver is pulling in the trailer.
Loaded Miles
Distance traveled with a loaded trailer.
Logistics
Process of systematizing information to facilitate the efficient and cost-effective flows of
goods and services to produce customer satisfaction.
LTL (Less-than-Truckload)
A quantity of freight less than that required for the application of a truckload (TL) rate;
usually less than 10,000 pounds.
LTL Carrier
Trucking company which consolidates less-than-truckload cargo for multiple
destinations on one vehicle.
Lumper
Person hire to load/unload the freight in trailer.
MVR
An acronym for Motor Vehicle Report. An official record for an individual driver listing
traffic convictions.
No Touch
A term meaning the driver doesnt have to assist with the unloading of the trailer or
touch the freight upon arrival at a destination.
OTR
Over-the-Road
Pre Pass
This is an electronic system in trucks that allows for drivers to bypass scales (weigh
stations).
Qualcommm
This is a word that often refers to Satellite Communications. Qualcomm is considered
the largest supplier of these systems.
Regional Run
This refers to a type of driving position when a driver is kept with in a region, such as
the southeast.
Route
The course or direction that a shipment moves.
Satellite Communication Systems
These are on board computers that help with mapping, two-way communication with
dispatch and even e-mail.
Terminal
A facility including building structures, and equipment for the storage transfer, handling,
delivery, and reception of vehicles and materials.
TL (Truckload)
The quantity of freight required to fill a trailer; usually more than 10,000 pounds.
TL Carrier
Trucking company which dedicates trailers to a single shipper's cargo, as opposed to an
LTL carrier.
Yard Jockey
Person who operates a yard tractor.
Yard Tractor (Yard Goat)
Special tractor used to move trailers around a terminal, warehouse, distribution center,
etc.
Well, that wraps up the first lesson in Professor Mikes ABCs of Trucking Language
course. Dont worry; there wont be a vocabulary test. But now youre ready to have an
intelligent conversation about trucking. In part two, Ill dig into some truck specific terms
such as king pin, reefer, and bobtail so be sure to check back.

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